"I agree with Sister Tanique to look for a kinsman."

Praelia looked confused.  "What leads you to believe this gnome was the focus of that battle?  If he had the power to teleport, why would he bother to move such a short distance?  Or was the gnome looking for something in particular?"

She didn't share the same concerns for the gnome the others did.  He was either dead or being kept for ransom or to make magical items.  If it was the latter he would not be too badly treated or he wouldn't be any use to them.

She turned back to Harbruk.  "Commander, do you know anything of those who attacked?  While I am hunting the dragonborn, his friends' armour seemed quite distinctive.  Is there anyone who may know of what group makes and wears such armour?  You spoke of an orc who wears similar armour?"

"Of course you would. But chances are you kinsman is already dead, you can seek retribution however. Not that I know why would you be inclined to." She was however more curious about something else the human said. "These groups? What exactly do you know about 'these groups' and their motives?"

The human looked at the group with a half smile. “I’ve been the law here for a few years now, and the last few months have changed things around here....tales of groups fighting people, as much travellers as each other. Fanatical is how some put them. Most common has been the ones in stone armour. Been seen observing from a distance mostly but sometimes attack. Others too....blue and green robed people and people that dress strange - carry shields and weapons that look like bone or shell, watching. Hostile fighters that set things aflame, scarred warriors and fire mages.....no, things have been changing here. Where they are is any bodies guess, but there are many ruins around.”

"Sir, where is the Sacred Stone Monastery ?"

Harburk Looks at the gnome with surprise. “Not something I’ve heard in a while. There’s several keeps in the sun bar hills, east of here. One was said to be haunted by a lunch a long time ago....supposedly some monks reclaimed it a few years back. Where it is I do not know exactly. In the hills, near the river is said. The monks never came down to town though”

"That is where we need to go." She said simply and looked to Sister Tanique to back her.

Peregrin follows the group back to the tavern and listens to the conversations. Being new in town, all of these people are unknown to him, but he's putting the pieces together. He turns to Priggs, "Fire mages? Perhaps more than one cult has come around here for some reason?" The matter is very intriguing.

He orders a crumblecake and an ale. All that running has made him hungry and thirsty both. This time, rather than sitting at the table, he holds the ale in his right hand and cake in his left while following the group of tall people, standing close and listening in on their conversations and politely offering to help, if asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Sun 18 Apr 2021.

"Yes there was a flying cult we were dealing with hmm stone, fire, air probably water somewhere."

"Yes, I remember our run in with them"

Unlike several of the others, Praelia wasn't so ready to run off back to the tavern.  She continued her questioning of the Commander.

"So far Commander you're providing a lot of suggestions but no evidence to back them up.  You didn't answer my question about your supposition that the battle to the south involved your gnome friend.  You've not suggested why you think these ruins to the east are in any way linked to these soldiers in stone armour."

"I am here with a specific target in mind, that dragonborn who was speaking with the stone armoured men.  Added to which they threatened your town.  Do you actually have hard evidence linking these men to the ruins?  Is this the first time they approached your town?  Have you sent out any patrols to look for them?  Is there anyone here who actually knows the surrounding area?"

Praelia knew she wasn't being overly diplomatic but she didn't care.  She had just narrowly missed her quarry and to hear all these random comments with no clear links irked her already frayed temper.  She wasn't ready to run and hunt ruins, just because ruins existed.

The human looked at Praelia as he stood. “You think this is waterdeep or silverymoon? I have no contacts short of the people of this town and what they hear. I have no army....just a boy that’s barely a man who helps me. We are the guardians of the town. You want certainty, find answers. I’m not actively chasing ghosts when my charge is the town and safety of their people. No one has openly attacked us until now, and even this looks like two children at the wrong place and wrong time. The girl I saved said they were walking alone when they found those three. They ran towards town, but summoned the ankhegs.”

He turned and faced the Dragonborn. “Have I investigated the gnomes disappearance....no. I just go in word of others. Until today I thought it was not possible, but you speaking of magic transportation and a gem, and I thought of him. I don’t suspect these ruin are their place, but bandits have used them in the past. Make of it what you will”

The human turned, heading back towards town.

Praelia wasn't impressed.  The 'commander' of two clearly didn't bother using the resources at his disposal.  The dragonborn would have to seek her own information.

Deciding it was too late to talk to any of the multitude of people who would leave town - the woodsman, foragers, hunters, miners and farmers, she moved towards town.  Perhaps she could see if any of the group wanted to seek some useful information before randomly following the commander's directions, one who had stated he didn't pursue any leads outside the town outskirts.

But not tonight.  A meal and a rest first.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:35, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Peregrin seems intrigued by the idea of cults of earth, wind, fire and water all being here at the same time. "It must mean something. Indeed! We have a little mystery on ours hands." He sits near Xantria and continues to listen, wondering why the dragonborn seems so rude to the locals. Soldiers could be that way, but it isn't hospitable. "Always the trees, never the forest," he thinks.

As the conversation settles, he wanders toward the kitchen, inquiring what hearty pastries may be available, should the group want to take some fresh provisions with them whenever they head out to investigate these ruins. While there, he attempts to make small talk with the staff, wondering what they think about the events of the day.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:21, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Thum headed back to the tavern. He settled in at the large table where he first started this adventure. It felt like a long time ago. But to be honest, he has lost track of how long ago it was. "Kaylessa, some stew and ale too, please?"

He looked at the new comers who had added in their little fight they just had. "Welcome friends. Please join us for some food and drink. I am called Thum. You all fought and chased bravely.

"I have my own reasons for hunting down those stone warriors. What do you say? Shall we get the bastards?"

Xantria would escort Sister Tanique though she would tell Prigs and Peregrin, "Thank you very much for helping us. It is appreciated. Oh and Prigs your armor is amazing, I don't think I have ever seen magic quite like it."

Praelia was impressed by Thum's eloquent use of language.  It was the most words she'd heard him string together.  She regretted the fight had been over so quickly as she'd really hoped to see the orc in battle.

"While I have no direct interest in these stone armour wearing people, I believe they are the key to finding my quarry.  I would be honoured to join you in hunting them.  Would you be willing to share your reasons for hunting them Thum?  I will respect your privacy if you wish but feel trust is more easily given if we know each others motives."

This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Thum shrugged. "I don't mind telling you all. warriors in stone armor attacked my clan while I was out hunting. I seek my revenge from them. If your paladin outcast is with them, just shows that much better how evil they are.

You are brave in battle and fight like a bear. I will stand with you as we hunt them down."

He smiled at Kaylessa as she brought his drink and food. "Thanks you so much."

Praelia raised her tankard to Thum in agreement.  She took a deep draw on the brew before returning it to the table with a sigh.

"My concern is what direction to follow.  From what little information the commander offered these soldiers have attacked all around.  He mentioned ruins but gave no clear indication of why he thinks our foes may be there.  Perhaps he just wants a problem area fixed for free while alluding it's linked to our problems."

"I plan to do some asking around.  If anyone is good at such banter I would welcome their help.  I have no desire to walk in the wrong direction for days when better information may be at hand.  The commander may be right, but no reason not to be sure.  Besides, the commander seemed to have no issue with that tower of air cultists on his doorstep.  He could even be in league with them or at lest helping them through his inaction."

She considered Thum.  "You seem to be friendly with our host here.  Might she know the right people to speak to?  Those who have ventured out of town for work who might know more about the surrounding area?"

"It definitely sounds like we have a common enemy "

"We need to go to the monastery that is where they are."

Praelia considered the gnome.  She recalled Xantria had been very specific in her questioning of the commander.  Clearly she knew something.

"You seem to know a lot about these soldiers and this monastery.  Could you tell us all what you know?  If you have some detailed information please share it."

"Last time we were in town one of our team members found a note in a room by one of these cults, it specifically detailed animosity between them as well as that Monastery being a place of one, just as that tower you were in was a place of one."

She then held her hand over the table producing a minor illusion of her team mate reading them the note:


Merosska,

     We are pleased to hear about the outcome of
     your altercation with the Black Earth cult,
     and we praise you for the capture of one of
     their prisoners. This noblewoman from
     Waterdeep has an interesting tale to tell, and
     we shall enjoy interrogating her further. Keep a
     close watch on the Sacred Stone Monastery. I
     want to know what our enemy is planning next.

     Your beloved queen,

     Aerisi Kalinoth


The illusion then fades

Praelia nodded.  "I can see your interest in finding the monastery now.  Excellent.  I still feel we need to try and gain more information as the commander did not know if the ruins are in anyway linked to this monastery.  Perhaps Thum could ask his barkeep friend if she knows any tales or of any who might have more information."

Thum didn't need an excuse to talk with Kaylessa. He could get lost in her eyes for days. Or watching her backside. Either way made him happy.

He took his ale with him as he walked over to the bar to talk with her more. With a smile he said, "Hi, there. Crazy stuff happening all over. Have you heard any rumors of a Stone Monastery or some ruins to the east? Anybody you know anybody who goes to the sun bar hills?"